Oh boy, goodies!!!

Hellooo! Look what came in the mail (err.. 2 days ago)!!! And from none other than the lovely Kahani. Isn't she a darling? =)

The parcel contents started with her trying to convert me to Silk Naturals, hence the little pack of samples *grin*, and it grew and grew from there.

The moment I read her review on OC8, I sent her an "I waaaant one!"-SOS-email and she promptly dashed to Boots and bought the last one available. I've been meaning to get a primer anyhow, and even though it's £9.99, after conversion, it's still cheaper than a MAC or Laura Mercier primer.

As for the Benefit glosses, read here to find out how she got her hands on these babies. After checking out the link, just bear in mind it costs RM73 a piece here in Malaysia!

And being the bestie she is, she also threw in some extras as well.


Items:
Benefit her Glossiness A-list in "My People, Your People" (left), and "Didn't Hear It From Me" (right)
OC Eight Oil Control Genius
The extras:
Crabtree & Evelyn Evelyn Rose Bath & Shower Gel
Famous eyeshadow in Vivien Bronze (I lurve bronze shadows)
DHC Mild Soap



Items:
SN blushers - Climax (dupe of Nars Orgasm), Forbidden (Nars Outlaw), Maybe Baby (dupe of MAC Blushbaby) and Lovelace (dupe of Nars Deepthroat)
SN eyeshadows - Luxe, Nudge Nudge and Cashmere
SN lip gloss - Berry Crush (dupe of MAC Viva Glam V
L'Oreal Mineral Foundation in W4

Ooh! *Squeals in delight*. This parcel is just in time to cheer me up from all the work stress lately.

Thank youuu dearie! =)

Heads up! FREE Benefit Gloss with £2 Glamour Mag

UK girls if you hurry, hurry to a magazine stand you can still get your hands on this month's Glamour magazine. Each £2 Mag comes with a FREE fullsized Benefit Her Glossiness Lip Gloss worth £13. (Or , the way I see it, £2 for the gloss, and the mag is the added bonus). There are three gorgeous shades up for grabs all from the A-List series:

• "My People, Your People" - A clear pale pink gloss with mother of pearlshimmer. Very sparkly and almost colourless.
• "Who Are You Wearing" - A sheer, bright, passionfruit pink with fine shimmer
  
• "Didn't Hear it From Me" - A sheer peachy gloss. Described as "poeaches and cream cream" on the site.
  

Read on for reviews and more promos!

I've managed to nab My People, Your People (MPYP), and Who Are You Wearing (WAYW) so far and will be on the lookout for the third. The glosses feel very light and are not sticky in the least.

The two shades, apply sheerly, are glassy-glossy and are very wearable. Even MPYP which looks doubtful in the tube, looks amazing over lipsticks and lipstains without looking OTT (over the top) for day-wear. Although if your office is very conservative you may want to keep it for after hours.

WAYW appears to be a clear, sheer pink gloss at first. But closer inspection shows it to be infused with very fine shimmery particles. I can't quite tell if they're silver or gold. They don't show up when worn (unless someone is eyeing your lips very closely indeed) and serve to give the gloss extra oomph and dimension. Very pretty!

The glosses have a tangy scent I can't quite identify. Like artificial pineapple, or berries. It is quite strong so if scents like this bother you, you may not like it. They are tasteless and fairly longlasting. Plus the tube is HUGE about 30ml unheard of

An additional reason to buy the mag & gloss (as if you needed one), is the 10% discount code contained within, 10% off products and services at Benefit Boutiques with the enclosed coupon, and a free "make-upper" service plus a sample of "That Gal" face primer with the voucher.

I warn you though the mag is literally flying off the shelves, or having the glosses nabbed. So RUN if you haven't got yours yet.

Free Makeup Samples!

Bet that got your attention! After all, what beauty junkie doesn't absolutely adore getting free makeup samples? I for one am now swimming in them as I've signed up for, and ordered every single one of the following free makeup samples available online! This should give me research fodder for oodles of reviews once I get going on them. Here's a list of free mineral sample kits available online (international), and websites offering free beauty samples (UK only).

Mineral Makeup
Online sites selling mineral makeup abound, and most have realised that the only way to sell without massive advertising and marketing tactics, is to offer samples. A few enlightened ones even offer FREE sample kits - you only need to pay for shipping. Sadly, all these sites are based in the US so it's International shipping fees you'll be saddled with, but in my opinion, the generosity of these kits make it worth it. Here's a list plus shipping charges to the UK.

1. Everyday Minerals - This prestigious and long-established makeup line doesn't rest on its laurels and charge exorbitant prices. Bless their hearts, they keep their prices reasonable, and offer this great sample kit. The kit allows you to select 3 foundations, 1 blush/face colour, and 1 concealer in sample sizes. Shipping was a very reasonable US$4.25. Thanks to our reader, lilsweetkatz. for the heads up!
2. Ocean Mist Cosmetics - Their "Try Me Sample Kit" is extremely generous, providing 5g sample jars of 3 foundations, 1 blush, 1 finishing powder, and 1 concealer - reviews on MUA promise that thet jars will be fully packed! The size of the kit, allows for the higher shipping charge of US$6.30. (Thanks to the Mineral Makeup Blog for this one!)
3. Signature Mineral Makeup (pictured) - Possibly the most flexible of the sample kits, the site allows you to buy any 6 of their products spanning foundations, concealers, finishing powders, eyeshadows, and blushes. And you can order the free sample kit more than once. They only request that you ask for only one kit per order, and that you don't double-sample. Eyeshadows come in 5g baggies, while the others all come in 5g sifter jars.Shipping for this is however a little high at US$7.50. (Thanks again to the Mineral Makeup Blog)

Free Sample Sites
Beautyholics around the world gaze at the US girls in envy as they are swamped by wave after wave of fabulous, free samples. For the UK however, I have come across two:

1. Latest in Beauty - This new site offers three free samples of makeup, skincare, and hair &body (one-each respectively), per month, per customer at a postage fee of £1. Sadly the Clarins Pure Melt Gel (which I would love to compare to its dupe), was not availble to me. However a sample of the coveted Blinc mascara is winging its way to me as we speak. So expect a review comparing it to its dupe soon! (Found out about this via Kiss & Makeup). The site hopes that you will provide product reviews on all samples received.
   
2. The Litmus Test - This is a site where you volunteer to test product samples and provide reviews. However, there seems to be an errror in its membership form right now - it won't allow me to update my details or product preferences. No mention of shipping fees though!
   

Hope that helps girls, will update this label with more posts on freebies if they come my way.